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Bang for buck build.

Mjnelson

Don’t tell the wife
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 4, 2020
273
160
Nevada
This is among my first write ups so do be patient. I have learned so much through posts like the is on public forums and I’m going to start giving back.
Here is my most recent build. Bergara HMR pro in 6.5 creedmoor with a Tract Toric 4-20x50. The goal of the rifle is bench shooting to generally increase my skill as a shooter and load developer. While having it be comfortable and weight conscious to take coyote hunting or possibly even on a prong horn hunt. Total investment $2800.
For a good while it was a tie between a tikka or bergara, I knew that both could shoot the nuts off a squirrel, so after handling them both at my local gun store I decided on the bergara having more of the cross over features I was after. This gun feels good. Bolt is smooth. Trigertech trigger. Stock is adjustable to my build via the adj comb and LOP spacers. Very sturdy. Nice finish.
The scope gave me the most dilemma. So many good options in the 1000-1500 range. Nightforce SHV. Athlon Cronus. Used razors. Even some leupold mk5’s can be found on the upper end of that budget. I really whent on a limb on the Tract as I never had the chance to look through one. The fine members on this site gave me the benefit of the doubt and I pulled the trigger on one. First impressions, this is a lot of scope for the money. Side by side with more expensive options this scope really shines with the glass ( of course this is subjective ) and I like the turrets, I could take or leave the locking turret. Illumination is good. Simple to set zero stop. Again nice finish.
I will be taking the this bad boy out tomorrow with some ladder loads and will report back.
Mike.
 

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Good looking setup are you going to reload or use factory ammo? I shoot with a guy that has one and the rifle is plenty accurate out to 1350 yards.
 
Factory ammo is more scarce than a leprechaun turd out here in the back woods of Nevada. I landed some Sierra 123gr match kings and 140 gr nosler custom competition in bulk. Lapua brass with win 760. Probably not ideal but I have enough to hopefully find a load that the gun likes. Berger hybrids and h4350 will hopefully be back to in stock this decade.
 
Reasonable success at the range. Best group with 123gr smk was .59 moa averaging 2980 fps Pushed by 45gr of win 760. That load did produce flat primers.
with the 140gr custom competition I got .45 moa averaging 2620 fps with 39.5gr of win 760.
I will be loading up the 140’s with another ladder test as I feel I have a lot more headroom charge wise. I got up to 40 grains with no pressure signs what so ever. Hopefully hit another node with better velocity.
 

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